Ack - soft shells

[Crusty McPottydoodle]

I just went to check for eggs and when I opened the henhouse, there were two broken eggs below the perch (nowhere near the nest box) - both with soft shells. The girls are on layer pellets and have free access to oystershell. Yesterday and the day before, they had beautifully hard shells.

I sprayed down the floor (wire with removable wood bottom) to get rid of all signs of raw egg (hopefully none of them thought to taste the fruits of their labour).

Is it possible that they laid these eggs whilst on their perch? Is it possible that they could confuse passing a very soft shelled egg with voiding?

Is there any other reasons for soft shells beyond lack of calcium? Stress? I just got them on Saturday, so I am wondering if a change in diet (probably different brand of food than they were on, plus lots of greenery that was unavailable where they came from ) and stress may be catching up with them?

Cheryl

 

[gritsar]

Yes, there are reasons for soft shelled eggs besides lack of calcium. The stress and change of diet could have done it. Take a look here:

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publi...ndbook/16/thinshelled-eggs-and-shellless-eggs

 

[Crusty McPottydoodle]

Quote:
Thank you Gritsar.

Last one is sitting in the nest box right now. I am trying to figure out if it is the two younger birds that laid these eggs or whether it is the older one. Hopefully, this egg will be hard and intact and I can compare its size to yesterday's eggs which may rule out some possibilities.

Cheryl